Creative Lives' former PhD intern, and author of our 'A Beginners' Guide to Mindful Crafting' toolkit and 'Crafting Sustainable Communities' report, Alana McPake shares her thoughts on the acts of kindness that purposeful crafting can bring about.

"There is a town in southern Spain, Alhaurín de la Torre, where the summer sun is kept at bay by a giant crocheted canopy (pictured). Little and large squares sewn together and stretched across the town’s main streets*.

Local makers donate their own time and material, and their designs tell a story. Some sections have seasonal scenes or regional and national flags. Others demonstrate support for the LGBTQIA+ community, or the people of Ukraine. This project is a beautiful act of care, as pleasing to the eye as it is protective of the body.

Craft can be an act of care that touches many: you and your loved ones, or communities and environments both near and far. As a maker, my favourite projects are always those that are pretty and practical. Crocheted coasters made from scrap wool protect my table and provide guests with a fun game of ‘what’s-it-meant-to-be?’ - a daisy (intended) or a fried egg (incidental). A small project, sure, but still significant - materials are used up, surfaces are kept clean, and sometimes, conversations are started.

Maybe you always create a homemade gift for people’s birthdays; or you always use up every scrap of material; or you take the time to sew on a lost button. We may not all keep a whole town cool through our efforts (I don’t think my native Glasgow would be happy with me if I tried), but even our smallest actions show we care.

We just might need a shift in perspective to recognise that." 

*You can read about this beautiful crochet here